Kimberley rock monitor (Varanus glauerti)

Short answers

Kimberley rock monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 180×80×120 cm; moulded cork back and side panels considerably increase the usable surface area.

Kimberley rock monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 30–35 °C with a gradient, basking spot 45–50 °C at the basking spot (mercury vapour lamp), at night 20–25 °C.

Kimberley rock monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 7.5–10).

Kimberley rock monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 15–20 years.

Kimberley rock monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

30–35 °C with a gradient

Night temperature

20–25 °C

Basking spot

45–50 °C at the basking spot (mercury vapour lamp)

Humidity

40–60 %, plus a permanently humid hide (wet box); do not keep it constantly wet

UVB

Essential (UVB 7.5–10)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 180×80×120 cm; moulded cork back and side panels considerably increase the usable surface area

Substrate

Sand-clay mix for digging, plus a structure of stone slabs and cork tubes — this species lives in rock crevices and climbs vertical surfaces. A permanently damp humid hide is essential, otherwise shedding problems occur.

Feeding

Food

Mainly insects (crickets, roaches), also eggs and poultry

Feeding interval

Adults 3–4× a week (juveniles more often)

Key facts

Adult size

50–60 cm total length (tail well over twice as long as the body)

Life expectancy

approx. 15–20 years

Origin

Northern Australia (the Kimberley region), rock-dwelling

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B, registration required

Brumation

Recommended: switch off the heating in winter and lower to 15–18 °C, shorten lighting. This matches the dry season in the species' range.

Cohabitation

In pairs (1.1) in a large enclosure, or singly. Two males never belong together — they fight over territory and the basking spot until one is injured or permanently sits in a corner. One male with several females is possible, but each animal needs its own basking spot and hide, otherwise the lower-ranking one is pushed aside; feed separately if sizes differ.

Notes

A slender, extremely agile rock-dwelling dwarf monitor that often hangs head-down. It needs a high basking spot plus vertical rock and climbing structures.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Argus monitor (Varanus panoptes) – Expert
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• Finsch's monitor (Varanus doreanus finschi) – Expert
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All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Kimberley rock monitor (Varanus glauerti) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 180×80×120 cm; moulded cork back and side panels considerably increase the usable surface area), substrate (Sand-clay mix for digging, plus a structure of stone slabs and cork tubes — this species lives in rock crevices and climbs vertical surfaces. A permanently damp humid hide is essential, otherwise shedding problems occur.), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.